Today I want to talk to you about a very important topic – our tongue. It is something that we use every day, but maybe we don’t always realize its importance.
You know, our words have incredible power. A good word can brighten someone’s day, and a bad word can cause deep wounds in someone’s heart. God wants us to use this power well – to speak with love and truth.
Remember, when we were children, our parents used to say, “Good boys don’t say bad things”? Actually, that applies not only to children, but to all of us. When we learn to control our words, we actually get closer to God.
Think about Jesus – he never spoke unnecessarily. Every word he said had a purpose – either to teach, or to comfort, or to correct a mistake. Can’t we be like him? Yes, we can! It just takes a little effort.
Have you ever noticed how your anger goes away when someone speaks to you in a soft tone? And when someone shouts, do you start shouting too? That’s what the Bible says – soft words calm anger, but harsh words stir up strife.
I remember an incident. Once a friend of mine was very angry with me. At first I was scared, but then I remembered what Jesus would have done in this situation. I listened to him calmly, then in a soft voice I said, “I understand why you are angry. I am sorry.” His anger subsided a lot with my words.
See, our words not only affect others, they also affect us. When we always talk negatively, our minds also become negative. But when we speak positively, encouraging words, a sense of hope is born within us.
Remember, our words are a wonderful gift from God. With them, we can spread light in the lives of others, we can tell about God’s love. So let’s all try to make our words more beautiful, more loving.
God bless you all. I believe that all of you will make a difference in your own lives and the lives of others with this purpose. Thank you.
Contents
- 1 Scriptural Wisdom on Controlling Speech
- 2 The Power of Words in Biblical Teaching
- 3 Taming the Tongue: Lessons from Proverbs
- 4 Biblical Guidance for Mindful Communication
- 5 Spiritual Insights on Avoiding Gossip and Slander
- 6 God’s Instructions for Righteous Speech
- 7 Applying Scripture to Master Your Words
Scriptural Wisdom on Controlling Speech
“My dear brothers sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak slow to become angry”
James 1:19
“Those who guard their mouths their tongues
keep themselves from calamity”Proverbs 21:23
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”
Ephesians 4:29
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord ;
keep watch over the door of my lips”Psalm 141:3
The Power of Words in Biblical Teaching
“The tongue has the power of life death,
those who love it will eat its fruit”Proverbs 18:21
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken”
Matthew 12:36
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone”
Colossians 4:6
“Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul healing to the bones”Proverbs 16:24
“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark”
James 3:5
Taming the Tongue: Lessons from Proverbs
“A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger”Proverbs 15:1
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing”Proverbs 12:18
“Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues”Proverbs 10:19
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin”Proverbs 13:3
“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
whoever has understanding is even-tempered”Proverbs 17:27
Biblical Guidance for Mindful Communication
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language from your lips”
Colossians 3:8
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ”
Ephesians 4:15
“May these words of my mouth this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord , my Rock my Redeemer”Psalm 19:14
“For“Whoever would love life
see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
their lips from deceitful speech”1 Peter 3:10
Spiritual Insights on Avoiding Gossip and Slander
““‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people“‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord”
Leviticus 19:16
“A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid anyone who talks too much”Proverbs 20:19
“Keep your tongue from evil
your lips from telling lies”Psalm 34:13
“Brothers sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it”
James 4:11
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage anger, brawling slander, along with every form of malice”
Ephesians 4:31
God’s Instructions for Righteous Speech
“The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
their tongues speak what is just”Psalm 37:30
“To slander no one, to be peaceable considerate, always to be gentle toward everyone”
Titus 3:2
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit”Proverbs 15:4
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith in purity”
1 Timothy 4:12
Applying Scripture to Master Your Words
“We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check”
James 3:2
“I said, “I will watch my ways
keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
while in the presence of the wicked.””Psalm 39:1
“Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
you are on earth,
so let your words be few”Ecclesiastes 5:2
“Finally, brothers sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things”
Philippians 4:8
“Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for them”Proverbs 29:20
“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory the power for ever ever. Amen”
1 Peter 4:11
